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History of France 






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Copyrighted, iSSy, by Burdick &= Taylor. 




ALBANY, N. Y.: 

Burdick & Taylor, Book and Job Printers, 

481 Broadway. 



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HISTORY OF FRANCE. 



Nearly 2500 years ago, a company of men from Greece, sailing 
along the northern shore of the Mediterranean Sea, stopped near the 
mouth of the Rhone in the country now known as France, but then 
called Gaul. Here they founded the colony now called Marseilles. 
At this time three great races lived in Gaul, and they soon became 
very jealous of these strangers who had settled in their country, and 
commenced a war with them The people of Marseilles sent to 
Rome to ask for help, and the Romans came very willingly under 
their governor, Julius Caesar, and soon defeated the Gauls. In the 
last battle their chief, Vercingetorix, after fighting for a long time in 
the fields, shut himself up with his army in a fortified town, which 
was soon surrounded by Caesar and his soldiers. At last hunger 
and despair induced Vercingetorix to ask for peace. He rode into 
the Roman camp all alone, wearing his richest armor, and hoping to 
move Caesar's heart, threw on the ground his spear, his helmet and 
his sword. He was sent a prisoner to Rome, and, six years after- 
ward, was led through the streets in chains. Soon all Gaul fell into 
the hand of the Romans. 

MEROVINGIAN DYNASTY. 

Clovis. 

In the year 476 we find three great tribes had settled in Gaul, and 
the Roman power was at an end. These were the Franks, the 
Burgundians and the Visigoths. Their first king was Clovis, a 
descendant of Merovaeus, from whom this dynasty is named. Clovis 
married Clotilda, who was a Christian, and tried very hard to con- 
vert her husband. He refused, however, although he allowed his 
eldest son to be baptized. At last an accident occurred which 
brought about the event. He was at war with a German tribe, 
and in one of the battles, fearing he was being defeated, he raised 
his hands to heaven, and praying to Clotilda's God, promised that if 
he should gain the victory he would be a Christian. He then con- 
tinued the battle, and gained, and he and many thousands of his 
soldiers were baptized. During this reign was introduced the 
Feudal system, the word feud meaning property held as a reward. 
Clovis divided the lands which he conquered, among his chiefs, so 



that each of them thus became a petty king. He also established 
the Salic law — no woman could inherit these lands, nor could she be 
made a queen. 

Theodoric, Clodomir, Childebert, Clotaire. 

The Kingdom of Clovis was divided at his death, among his 
four sons, and after many quarrels and many plots formed by the 
brothers against each other, Clotaire, the youngest, was left to reign 
alone. 

Clotaire II. 

The four sons of Clotaire I, divided their father's kingdom among 
themselves, and the history of all these years is only an account of 
wars and murders caused by the wives of these princes. The 
different divisions, at last, were reigtied over by Clotaire II as sole 
king, but his reign was not important. 

Dagobert. 

With this king, who was the son of Clotaire, we might say the 
glory of the Merovingian line ended. After him the nobles were 
constantly gaining great power, and the kings were called in 
derision, Rois Faineants (do-nothing kings), till at last Pepin 
d' Heristal, who was only a Mayor of the Palace, was really king, 
under the title of Duke of the Franks, 

Charles Martel. 

Charles succeeded his father only as Duke of France. The 
Saracens invaded France at this time, and he, having entirely 
defeated them, was given the title of Martel (the Hammer), and also 
the entire possession of the country. The next dynasty was named 
after him. 



CARLOVINGIAN DYNASTY. 

Pepen le Bref (The Short). 

This king, the son of Charles Martel, received his surname 
because he appeared almost like a dwarf among his warriors, but he 
was a very great king. Pope Stephen II came and asked his help 
against the Lombards, who had seized Ravenna, and Pepin immedi- 
ately crossed the Alps with his army, defeated the Lombards, and 
made them give back to the Pope all the lands they had taken in 
northern Italy. He then demanded of the Duke of Aquitaine to 
return some property which he had taken from the Church, and as 
the Duke refused, Pepin marched against him and conquered the 
rich dukedom of Aquitaine, which he annexed to France. 



5 
» ■ 

Charlemagne 

Was chosen to succeed his father, although there were two sons of 
his elder brother whose claims were thus set aside. These 
two children went to Desiderius, King of the Lombards, and asked 
him for help against their uncle. In the war which followed, the 
Lombards were entirely defeated, Desiderius and his family were 
imprisoned, and Charlemagne, after being crowned with the iron 
crown of the Lombards, joined Lombardy to France. The Saxons 
taking advantage of his absence, rose in arms and burned a church. 
Charlemagne marched against them, and after conquering them, 
called a council of all the tribes who were anxious to be friendly 
with him. It was held at Paderborn, and was called the "Diet of 
Paderborn." Charlemagne next marched against the Saracens in 
Spain, and defeated them, but as one part of his army was crossing 
the Pyrenees on its way home, it was met by a band of Saracens in 
the high and gloomy pass of Roncevalles, and hundreds were killed. 
Roland, Charlemagne's nephew, was among the slain. Charle- 
magne was buried in a chapel which he had built at Aix la Chapelle. 
He was dressed as a king, and seated on a throne of marble. 

Louis L, le Debonnaire (Good-natured). 

This king was amiable and pious, but not at all able to carry on 
the work commenced by his father. He very foolishly divided the 
kingdom among his three sons, thinking it would be more convenient 
for himself. A nephew, named Bernard, was very angry because 
nothing had been given to him, and he tried to form a kingdom for 
himself. Louis marched against him, and Bernard was so frightened 
that he submitted before a battle was fought. His uncle punished 
him by having his eyes put out, and he died shortly after. On the 
birth of another son, Louis wanted to divide the kingdom again, but 
the other brothers would not submit, and a battle was on the eve of 
being fought when Louis died, his last message to his sons being, 
" I pardon you, but you have caused my death." The war now went 
on among the brothers to decide who should be king. A battle was 
fought at Fontenaille, which was not decisive, and at last, by the 
treaty of Verdun, which was the first great treaty of modern Europe, 
the kingdom of France was given to 

Charles the Bald. 
No event of importance happened during this reign. 

Louis LE Begue (The Stammerer). 
Louis reigned only two years and left his throne to his two sons. 

Louis III. AND CaRLOMAN, 

Neither of these kings left sons, and the nobles, therefore, elected 
as their king, Charles, Emperor of Germany. 



Charles the Fat. 

During this reign France was invaded by the Northmen, under 
Rollo, their chief, a very large man, who boasted that he walked 
because no horse could carry him. He attacked Paris, and for 
more than a year the city held out, hoping Charles would come and 
help it. He came at last, and defeated Rollo, but had been so tardy 
about it, that he was deposed, and the Count of Eudes, who had 
defended Paris, was chosen as ruler. 

Charles III., the Simple. 

At the death of Eudes, Charles, a descendant of the Carlovingians, 
was chosen king. His reign is noted on account of the settlement 
of the Northmen in France. Charles was afraid of them, so he gave 
Rollo the province of Normandy, and his daughter Gisele in 
marriage. He and his followers were baptized, and under the 
name of Normans, soon became the most intelligent people of 
France. 

Louis IV., Outre-mer (Beyond the Sea). 

This king, the son of Charles the Simple, was given his surname 
because he had lived a long time in England. His principal 
supporter was Hugh the Great. 

Lothaire 
Was the son of Louis IV. 

Louis V 

Died after a reign of one year, and with him ended the Carlovingian 
line. 

CAPETIAN DYNASTY. 

Hugh Capet — 987-996 

Was the son of Hugh the Great, and he was chosen king, although 
there was a descendant of Louis IV., who should have had the 
throne. 

Robert. — 996-1031. 

This king spent most of his time praying and doing penance. 
This was on account of a superstitious belief of the time, that the 
world would be destroyed in the year 1000. For three years no 
crops were raised in the south of Europe, thousands died of 
hunger, and the misery of the people was terrible. 

Henry I. — 1031-1060. 

During Henry's reign, the Peace of God was established. By 
this the people were bound by an oath to forget old quarrels, and 



never to attack any one who was accompanied by a monk or a 
woman. Five years later the name was changed to the Truce of 
God, and all persons were forbidden to engage in any duels from 
Wednesday evening to Monday morning of each week; on all feast 
days of the Church; in Advent and in Lent. These laws were 
observed for two hundred years, and had good effect on the people. 

Philip I. — 1060-1108. 

Philip I. was reigning in France at the time the great battle of 
Hastings was fought in England, and William the Conqueror was 
made king. He also engaged in the first crusade with William 
Rufus. 

Louis VI., le Gros (The Fat). — 1108-1137. 

This king tried very hard to check the power of the nobles, and 
give more freedom to the communes. He captured many castles of 
the great lords, which had become no better than the dens of 
robbers. 

Louis VII., the Young. — 1137-1180. 

Louis VII. engaged in the second crusade. His Queen Eleanor 
left him and married Henry Plantagenet, who was, after a short time, 
Henry II. of England. She took with her many provinces which had 
belonged to her, and thus made her English husband a powerful 
lord in France. The principal adviser of Louis was the Abbot 
Suger. 

Philip II., Augustus. — 1 180-1223. 

Philip went on the third crusade with Richard Coeur de Lion. 
He also engaged in a war with John to avenge the death of the 
latter's nephew, Arthur, and so entirely was John defeated, that an 
end was put to the English rule in France. During this reign there 
was a crusade against the Albigenses, who were a religious sect in 
the south of France, and received their name from Albigeois, the 
district in which they first appeared. The crusade was led by 
Simon de Montford. 

Louis VIII. — 1223-1226 
Was the son of Philip Augustus. 

Louis IX., the Saint. — 1226-1270. 

This king was but twelve years of age at his father's death. His 
mother, Blanche of Castile, was made regent. During his reign the 
war against the Albigenses was ended. Ever since a serious 
illness Louis had resolved to go on a crusade, so when he heard of 
the capture of Jerusalem, he sailed for the island of Cyprus, and 



thence to Egypt. After many delays, disease broke out in his 
army, and he, with his knights, was taken prisoner, and was released 
only after the payment of a heavy ranson. He reached the Holy 
Land with only loo knights and a small army. When he had spent 
four years there, he heard of the death of his mother, and returned 
to France. For thirteen years he devoted himself to the affairs of 
his kingdom, but then determined to go on another crusade. He 
sailed again, this time going to Tunis, in Africa. There the 
plague overtook his army, and he and the greater part of his soldiers, 
died. Louis built the Sainte Chapelle in Paris, and assisted Sorbon 
in founding the school since called the Sorbonrie. 

Philip HI., the Hardy. — 1270-1285. 

The great event of this reign was the Massacre of the Sicilian 
Vespers. Philip's uncle, Charles of Anjou, had conquered Sicily 
many years before, but he was a very ambitious man, and he now 
determined to go and capture Constantinople, therefore he took 
away a great many of the French soldiers from Sicily. On the 
evening of March 30, 1282, all the French who had been left in the 
island were massacred, and as this commenced just as the vesper 
bell was ringing, it has been called the " Massacre of the Sicilian 
Vespers." The trouble began by a French soldier insulting a young 
Sicilian woman in the street. He was immediately killed with his 
own sword, A cry was then raised " Death to all French," and they 
were cut down in all directions. 

Philip IV., the Fair. — 1285-1314. 

Philip invaded Flanders, and conquered it, but he treated the 
people so badly that they revolted, and in the city of Bruges killed 
3,000 Frenchmen. An army was sent against them, and the 
Flemings met it near Courtray. They were drawn up behind a 
deep canal, with banks so level as not to be seen even at a short 
distance. The French army, more than double the Flemings in 
number, advanced quickly, and it was only when it was too late to 
check the speed of their horses, that they saw the canal into which 
they fell without striking a blow. The Flemings then attacked 
them and easily gained the victory. Philip now sent another army 
against them, and this time the French were successful, but in a few 
days the Flemings, returned with an army as large as any they had 
before, and so great was the surprise of the King, that he exclaimed, 
"Does it rain Flemings then?" and he made a peace with them. 
The battle of Courtray is often called the Battle of the Spurs, 
because so many gilt spurs were picked up' on the field. Another 
event of importance during the reign of Philip, is the "Third Estate." 
Up to this time there had only been two classes of people who were 
allowed to send representatives to the States General; these were 
the nobles and the clergy, but Philip allowed the common people to 
send some, and thus formed the " Third Estate." 



9 

Louis X., Hutin (Disorber). — 1314-1316. 

During this reign the nobles began to plot to regain their power. 
Louis died of a chill, caused by drinking too much wine after being 
heated in a game of ball, which sport he greatly preferred to ruling 
over a kingdom. 

Philip V., the Tall. — 1316-1322. 

As Louis left but one child, a daughter, she was excluded from 
the throne by the Salic law, and his brother Philip was made king. 

Charles IV., the Fair. — 1322-1328. 

Philip V. had four children, all daughters, so they were set aside 
and the crown was given to his brother Charles. 



HOUSE OF VALOIS. 

Philip VI. — 1328-1350. 

Philip of Valois, grandson of Philip III., succeeded to the throne 
although it was claimed by Edward III. of England, who was grand- 
son of Philip IV. This caused a war between the two countries, 
which is called the One Hundred Years' War. The nobles of Flanders 
and the Scotch joined with the French, but the merchants of 
Flanders favored the English. The first battle was Crecy, in which 
the English were led by the King and the Prince of Wales, (called 
the Black Prince). A thunder shower coming on just before the 
battle, and wetting .the bow-strings, of the French, made them 
useless, while the Englishmen, who had kept their bow-strings 
dry by putting them under their coats, came to the attack 
late in the afternoon, when the setting sun shone full in the face 
of the French, and the latter were entirely defeated. At the 
siege of Calais, the French were again defeated, and Edward 
ordered that all the people should surrender, and that six men, with 
halters around their necks, should be sent to him with the keys of 
the city and castle. Eustace St, Pierre and five others went to his 
camp, and he commanded that they should be beheaded, but his 
queen, Philippa, who had just gained for him the battle of Neville's 
Cross, pleaded for them, and their lives were saved. During this 
reign there was a disease called the " Black Death " came from Asia 
into Europe, and not only men, but beasts, died of it. In Paris 
alone, at times, eight hundred were buried in one day. In the latter 
part of Philip's reign, in order to gain more money, be ordered that 
all the salt in the kingdom should be brought to his store-houses, so 
that he could sell it for whatever price he chose. This unjust tax 
was known as the " Gabelle," the King's store-house bemg called by 
that name. Dauphine was sold to Philip by Humbert II., who was 
called the " Dauphin or Dolphin," because he had the figure of that 



fish on his coat of arms. This title has always afterward been given 
to the eldest son of the King of France. 

John le Bon. — 1350-1364. 

At the beginning of John's reign, the quarrel for the title of the 
King of France was commenced again by Charles of Navarre. This 
prince, sometimes called Charles the Bad, was a grandson of Louis 
X., and as he had just been punished for killing one of the King's 
favorites, he went to England and asked Edward III. to go on with 
the war against France. Shortly after this, when he returned to 
France, he was seized and thrown into prison. Edward immediately 
commenced the war, and the battle of Poitiers was fought between 
the Black Prince and King John, in which the French were entirely 
defeated, and John and his young son Philip, were taken prisoners. 
The Dauphin now called a meeting of the States General, to raise 
anoiher army, and to ransom his father, but the French were very 
much dissatisfied with the King, and refused to pay any more taxes. 
They were led by Stephen Marcel, who released Charles of Navarre, 
intending to make him king. The insurrection which followed is 
called the Jacquerie, from Jacques Bonhomme, the name then given 
to a peasant. At last Marcel was killed by one of his former friends, 
Charles of Navarre fled to Normandy, and the peace of Brctigny 
was signed, by which John was released, on the promise of the 
Dauphm to pay a large sum of money to England. On his return 
to Paris, King John commenced to improve the condition of his 
people, but hearing that his son, who had been left as a hostage for the 
King's ransom, had escaped, he immediately went back to London 
and gave himself up, and, after a short illness, he died in 1364. 

Charles V. le Sage. — 1364-13S0. 

The French army, during this reign, was commanded by 
Du Guesclin, who was a very successful general. He first defeated 
Charles of Navarre, who raised an insurrection, and then so entirely 
conquered the English, that in 1380 five cities were all that remained 
to them in France. During this war the Black Prince found that 
the city of Limoges, which belonged to him, was not faithful to him, 
and although so ill that he was carried on a litter at the head of his 
army, he attacked and captured it, and ordered the massacre of 
more than 3,000 men, women and children. This cruel act was his 
last as a soldier; he returned to England and died soon after. It 
was during the reign of Charles that the Royal Library was founded, 
and the great prison of the Bastile, in Paris, was begun, 

Charles VI,, Bien Aime. — 13S0-1422. 

The first great event during this reign was the revolt in Flanders, 
which was ended by the Flemings being defeated in the battle of 
Rosebec(]ue. 

Oliver Clisson, Constable of I'rance, was a great favorite of 



Charles. Returning one evening from a banquet, he was attacked 
by a servant of the Duke of Orleans, and almost killed. When the 
King heard of it, he ordered the Duke of Brittany, with whom the 
would-be murderer had taken refuge, to give him up. The Duke 
refused and the King collected an army and marched against him. 
The weather was very warm, and Charles was not well. Suddenly, 
as he was riding through a forest, a wild man rushed out, and seiz- 
ing his bridle, said, " Stop, noble King, go no further, thou art 
betrayed! " The sudden fright shocked the Kmg very much, and, 
a little further on, one of his pages falling asleep upon his horse, 
dropped his lance; the noise so startled Charles that he became 
insane, and drawing his sword, wounded many before he could be 
controlled. He never afterward gained his senses, except for a few 
days at a time. This insanity of the King caused great trouble in 
France, as two parties were formed, who fought for the control of the 
government. One of these was led by the Duke of Burgundy, and 
called the Burgundians, the other by the Duke of Orleans, and 
called Armagnacs, after the father-in-law of the Duke. Henry V. 
of England, took advantage of the disorder, invaded France, and 
completely defeated the French in the battle of Agincourt, after 
which the treaty of Troyes was signed with him by the Queen and 
the Duke of Burgundy. By this treaty it was arranged that Henry 
should marry Catharine, the King's daughter, and be Regent of 
France and heir to the French throne. 



Charles VII., the Victorious. — 1422-1461. 

The treaty of Troyes was never fulfilled. Henry V. died, leaving 
an infant son, and Charles died one month after. The Dauphin, 
whose claims had been, set aside by the treaty, was declared King 
under the title of Charles VII. War was commenced again, but at 
the siege of Orleans, the English were defeated. At this time the 
French were assisted by Joan of Arc. She was a peasant girl, who 
had often heard of the prophecy that France was at some time to be 
saved by a woman. During her walks she said she heard strange 
voices telling her to go to the aid of Orleans, and that she would be 
successful. After a time, being allowed to see the King, she 
induced him to give her an army, and permit her to go to the city. 
The starving soldiers to whom she brought relief, looked upon her 
as a saint, while the English thought her a witch. After several 
battles, in which Joan fought at the head of the troops, the French 
were successful, and the "Maid of Orleans," as she was called, took 
the King to Rheims, where he was crowned. She now wanted to 
go home, saying she could do no more, but she was selfishly 
detained, and a short time afterward fell into the hands of the 
English, who burned her as a witch. After her death, the peace of 
Arras was signed. During this reign, Normandy, which had lately 
been an English province, was conquered, and the One Hundred 
Years' War ended. 



Louis XI. — 1461-1483. 

At the beginning of Louis' reign, the nobles, who disliked him 
very much, formed a league against him, called the " Le;^gue of the 
Public Good." The greater part of his reign was occupied in con- 
flicts with Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, who even induced 
Edward IV. of England, to come with an army to help him. 
When the English arrived, the duke was not ready, and Louis per- 
suaded Edward to return to England, by paying a large sum of 
money, and arranging a marriage between his son and Edward's 
daughter. This bargain was called the Merchant's Truce. 

Charles VIII., the Affable. — 1483-1498. 

This king was but thirteen years of age when his father died, and 
his sister Anne (who was married to Peter of Beaujeu, and known 
as the Lady of Beaujeu), was really the ruler of France. Francis, 
Duke of Brittany, died about this time, and left the dukedom to his 
daughter Anne, a child of twelve. Anne of Beaujeu immediately 
sent her brother, who was now eighteen, to invade Brittany, where 
he captured the city of Rennes, in which the young duchess was, 
and married her. Brittany thus became a part of France. When 
Charles commenced to rule by himself, he acted very foolishly. 
The nobles induced him to invade Italy for no cause whatever, and 
although he captured Naples, he soon lost it again, and only a rem- 
nant of his army returned to France. While passing along a dark 
gallery in the castle of Amboise, one day, he struck his head against 
a door, and, a few hours after, died in convulsions. 



HOUSE OF VALOIS-ORLEANS. 
Louis XII. — 1498-1515. 

This king also invaded Italy and defeated the Milanese in the 
battle of Novara. He then formed a plan with Ferdinand of Spain 
to capture Naples and divide it between them. It was captured, 
but Louis and Ferdinand quarreled over it, and the French 
attacked the Spaniards, and were defeated in the battle of 
Garigliano. Louis then decided upon a peace, which was signed at 
Blois. The next event of importance is the League of Cambray, 
which was formed by Pope Julius II., the Emperor of Germany, the 
King of France and others, against Venice. Louis was the first to 
take the field, and though he defeated the Venetians in the battle of 
Agnadello, he gained nothing by it, because having quarrelled with 
the Pope, a league, called the Holy League, was formed against 
himself by Henry VIII. of England, the Emperor of Germany and 
others. Although his army, commanded by his nephew, Gaston de 
Foix, at first gained many battles, yet, after this general was mortally 
wounded, and the French entirely defeated in the Battle of the 
Spurs, Louis was so weary of the war that he signed a peace. 



13 

Francis I. — 1515-1547. 

Louis XII. having left no son, the crown was given to Francis, a 
descendant of the Duke of Orleans, famous during the reign of 
Charles VI. He determined to engage in a foreign war, so with 
his great general, the Chevalier Bayard, he invaded Italy and 
defeated the Italians and Swiss in the battle of Marignano, called 
the Battle of Giants. He then signed a treaty with the Swiss, 
called the Perpetual Peace, because it lasted for nearly three 
hundred years. In 15 19, Maximilian, Emperor of Germany, died 
without an heir, and Francis determined to try for the throne. It 
was given, however, to Charles V. of Austria, and Francis immediately 
prepared for war. He wanted the assistance of the English, so he 
invited Henry VIII. to meet him near Calais, and so gorgeous was 
the display made by the two kings and their followers, that the meet- 
ing has been known as the Field of the Cloth of Gold. Francis 
gained nothing, as Henry VIII. had already promised to flight for 
Charles. War commenced, and the French were very unsuccessful. 
They were defeated in the battle of Bicoque, their great general, 
Bourbon, deserted to the enemy. Bayard was killed, and lastly, in 
the battle of Pavia, Francis was taken prisoner and kept for nearly 
a year. On his return he would not fulfill the promise which he 
had made Charles, and the latter continued the war, this time captur- 
ing Rome, where Bourbon was killed. All were now tired of war, 
and a treaty was signed called the Women's Peace, because it was 
arranged by Francis' mother, Louise of Savoy, and the Emperor's 
aunt, Margaret of Austria. During the war Francis had made an 
alHance with the Sultan of Turkey, and this friendship for an infidel 
Charles gave as an excuse for his own constant quarrels with him. 
About this time Jacques Cartier attempted the settlement of Canada. 

Henry II.— 1547-1559. 

Henry's most trusted advisers were the Constable Montmorency 
and the Duke of Guise; his court was ruled by Diana of Portiers, 
while his Queen, Catharine de Medici, had but little influence. 
Charles V. of Spain, gave up his crown to his son, Philip II., who 
was married to Queen Mary of England. Henry commenced a war 
against Philip and his English allies, and although defeated by the 
Spaniards with great loss in the battle of St. Quentin, he look the 
city of Calais from the English. Henry was mortally wounded at a 
tournament. 

Francis II. — 1559-1560. 

This king, the oldest son of Henry, was but sixteen years of age 
when he ascended the throne. He was married to Mary Queen of 
Scots. The Reformation at this time was gaining influence in 
France, and as its leader there was Calvia, a Frenchman, living in 
Geneva, the religion was called Calvinism, and its followers Calvinists. 

The French Protestants were also called Huguenots, from a 



14 

German word which means confederates. During the reign of 
Francis, wars were commenced between the Catholics and 
Huguenots, which brought France to a very unhappy state. On the 
side of the Catholics, the leaders were all the families of the house 
of Guise, while the noted Protestants were Henry of Navarre, 
Constable Montmorency and his nephew, Admiral Coligny and 
Antoine Charles and Louis of Bourbon — the last always called Prince 
of Conde. 

Charles IX. — 1560-1574. 

Charles IX. was ruled entirely by his mother, Catharine de Medici, 
whose unfortunate influence caused the great trouble of his reign. 
First, there was a riot between the two parties at Vassy, and many 
were massacred; this was followed by the treaty of Amboise, which 
lasted, however, but a short time; then was fought the battle of St. 
Denis, which neither party gained, followed by the Peace of 
Lonjumeau. The next great event was the death of Conde, which 
discouraged the Huguenots and induced the signing of the Peace of 
St. Germain. Catharine de Medici then proposed a marriage 
between Henry of Navarre and her daughter Margaret, and invited 
Jeanne d' Albret, who was Henry's mother, to come to Paris and 
arrange about it. Four days after her arrival she died, and as some 
suspected she had been poisoned, the hatred of the two parties for 
each other increased. Catharine went to Charles and told him that 
each party was bent on the destruction of the other, and begged 
him to take the opportunity when so many Huguenots were in Paris, 
and order a general execution of them. He at first refused, but 
finally gave his consent to the dreadful plot, and commanded the 
murder of every Huguenot in the city. This is called the Massacre 
of St. Bartholomew's Day (August 24, 1572), and the number of the 
killed is variously given at from 2,000 to 10,000. It was followed 
by the Peace of Rochelle, shortly after which Charles IX. died, in 
great anguish. His crime weighed heavily on him, and in his last 
sickness the murdered ones were always the subject of his dreams. 

Henry III. — 1574-1589. 

At the death of Charles IX., the discontented nobles joined with 
the Huguenots, and the King was so alarmed that he signed a treaty, 
which has been called the Peace of Monsieur, because it was 
arranged by the Duke of Alencon, Henry's brother. This treaty 
annoyed the Catholics, and they formed an alliance among them- 
selves, called the Holy League. War immediately followed, known as 
the War of the Three Henrys, Henry of Navarre being the leader of 
the Huguenots, Henry of Guise the Catholics, and the King, Henry 
III., being at the head of the Moderates. The remainder of this 
reign was a succession of murders. The Duke of Guise and his 
brother were killed and their bodies burned. Catharine de Medici 
died, and Henry was just commencing to hope for success when he 
was stabbed to death by a young man who pretended he had import- 
ant letters to give to the King alone. 



IS 
HOUSE OF BOURBON. 

Henry IV. — 1589-1610. 

Henry of Navarre now became King, and after gaining the battle 
of Ivry, he and his party being weary of war, he decided to give up 
the Protestant religion and try and bring peace to the country. He 
then signed the famous Edict of Nantes, by which entire liberty of 
conscience was granted to the Huguenots, and they were admitted 
to all offices of honor. Henry's principal adviser was the Duke of 
Sully. He was planning great projects for the good of his kingdom, 
but riding out in his carriage one day, in Paris, he was stabbed by a 
man who had followed him a long distance for that purpose. 

Louis XIII. — 1610-1643. 

Louis XIII. was but nine years of age when his father died, and 
his mother, Mary de Medici, was made regent. He was of a timid 
disposition, and was guided entirely by his prime minister, Richelieu. 
He suppressed a revolt of the Protestants at Rochelle, and then took 
part with Denmark and Sweden in the war against Austria, which 
commenced in 16 18, and is called the Thirty Years' War. The 
celebrated French Academy was founded by Richelieu during this 
reign. 

Louis XIV., le Grand Monarque. — 1643-1715. 

At the beginning of Louis' reign Austria sued for peace, and the 
Thirty Years' War was ended by the treaty of Westphalia. Mazarin 
was prime minister, and the people rose in revolt against him. 
They were called the Frondeurs, and the civil war which followed 
was known as the War of the Fronde. After many battles, although 
the Fronde was victorious, it fell to pieces through the jealousy of 
its leaders. The interference of Holland in the affairs of France, 
induced Louis to declare war against the Netherlands. His armies 
were commanded by Conde and Turenne, and although he 
gained the battle of Seneffe, other countries joined with Holland 
against him, so he sued for peace and the treaty of Nimeguen was 
signed. The peace lasted, however, but a short time. All the great 
powers of Europe seemed afraid of Louis, and they formed an 
alliance against him, called the League of Augsburg, which was 
joined by many of his Protestant subjects, because he had revoked 
the Edict of Nantes. War was first declared between England and 
France on account of the assistance Louis had given to the exiled 
king, James II. The French having been defeated in the battle of 
the Boyne, and in a naval engagement off Cape La Hogue, Louis 
signed the treaty of Ryswick, and acknowledged William III. King 
of England. Three years after was commenced the great war 
of the Spanish Succession. Charles 11. of Spain died and left his 
crown to Philip of Anjou, grandson of Louis XIV., but England, 
Germany, Holland and Austria formed a " Grand Alliance " to pre- 



i6 

vent him gaining it. The Duke of Marlborough and Prince Eugene 
commanded the allied forces, and Louis, after being defeated in the 
great battles of Blenheim, Ramilles, Oudenarde and Malplaquet, 
signed a treaty of peace at Utrecht. By this treaty his grandson was to 
be King of Spain, but could not inherit the French throne. Louis 
lived but two years after the close of this war. Falling heir to the 
throne at the age of five, he had ruled seventy-two years, and his 
reign is the longest and most important in French history. He was 
succeeded by his great grandson, the only one of his family, except 
the King of Spain, who survived him. 

Louis XV. — 1715-1774. 

About this time, France was wonderfully excited by the financial 
system of a Scotch adventurer named John Law. It was a proposi- 
tion to pay off the debt of the nation, and was much like the South 
Sea Scheme in England. The vast system, which rested only on 
credit, soon fell and caused great ruin. Law was exiled from 
France, and went to Venice. In the war of the Austrian Succes- 
sion, nearly all the states of Europe took part, although England 
and France were the principal actors. Maria Theresa, to whom the 
throne of Austria had been left, had many rivals, the principal of 
whom was the Emperor Charles of Germany. France engaged in 
the war to assist Charles, and England to assist Maria Theresa. 
The English, commanded by George II., defeated the French in 
the battle of Dettingen, and the French, under Marshal Saxe, gained 
the victory at Fontenoy. Peace was restored by the treaty of Aix 
la Chapelle, and Maria Theresa was made Queen of Austria. This 
treaty had not settled the boundaries of the French and English 
possessions in America, so another war, called the Seven Years' War, 
commenced, and was terminated by the surrender of Canada to the 
English. 

Louis XVI. — 1774-1792, 

The principal advisers of this most unfortunate king, were 
Maurepas, Turgot, Malesherbes and Necker. France had greatly 
assisted the Americans in their revolution by its alliance with the 
United States at the treaty of Versailles. The desire now for a 
change in government, and also the idea of following the example of 
the colonies, although the cases were widely different, caused this 
ancient and powerful monarchy to disappear for a time from the 
rank of civilized nations. The first step was to oppose all the 
wishes of Louis XVI., and to frame new laws for France. The 
revolution, of which Mirabeau was, at first, the principal champion, 
commenced, and its leaders, under the successive names of National 
Constituent Assembly, Legislative Assembly, and of National 
Convention, succeeded in doing away with the throne itself. The 
Legislative Assembly was divided into three parties, the Girondists, 
led by Dumouriez and Roland, the Montagnards and the Feuillants. 
The lower class of people was called the Commune, and they were 



17 

headed by Robespierre, Danton and Marat. After most dreadful 
deeds of violence had been committed, and people seemed oppressed 
with a kind of stupor, deprived of energy or means of resistance, 
France was declared a Republic, and Louis, with his family, was 
placed in prison in the Temple. 

Interregnum. — 1792-1804. 

In the new order of things the King had no place. It was there- 
fore resolved to get rid of him. In vain he denied the absurd 
charges brought against him. He was put to death in January, 
1793, and in the next October his queen, Marie Antoinette, and his 
sister, Elizabeth, were also executed. One year later, the young 
dauphin, Louis XVII. , died in prison of a disease caused by the bad 
treatment he received. Of all that unfortunate family, Louis' 
daughter, who was afterwards Duchess of Angouleme, was the only 
one they did not put to death. Nothing now seemed wicked 
enough to satisfy those in possession of the power in France. Blood 
flowed on all sides, and even their own leaders were not spared by 
these unhappy people. Marat was stabbed by Charlotte Corday, 
and Robespierre was executed by the fickle ones who had been his 
admirers. Such a state of things could not fail to excite the horror 
of other nations. A coalition was formed, first between Austria and 
Prussia, but soon after with nearly all the powers of Europe, against 
France. The new republic soon saw the defects in its system of 
government, and a constitution was formed, composed of two 
bodies— the Council of Five Hundred, and the Council of Ancients. 
The chief power was the Directory, which consisted of five mem- 
bers, one of whom was replaced every year. The armies were com- 
manded by the noted generals, Hoche, Jourdan, Moreau and the 
great Napoleon Bonaparte, and in the long struggle which followed, 
were nearly always victorious. After the defeat of the Austrians, 
and the treaty of Campo Formio, Napoleon determined on an 
expedition to Egypt, with the intention of afterwards attacking the 
English possessions in India. He captured Alexandria, gained the 
battle of the Pyramids, where he met, for the first time, the terrible 
Mameluke horsemen, but after his fleet had been destroyed m the 
Bay of Aboukir, by the English, under Nelson, he returned to 
France. Turkey having declared war. Napoleon marched along the 
shore of the Mediterranean into Syria, and notwithstanding the 
decrease of his army by sickness and hard fighting, he attacked the 
Turks and completely defeated them. The Russians, under 
Suwarrow, now joined with the Austrians and defeated the French 
in several engagements, but after a series of battles, they were con- 
quered by General Massena, at Zurich. Napoleon, taking advantage 
of the general favor with which he was regarded, abolished the 
Directory, and caused the Consulate to be established. The power 
was given to three consuls, each chosen for ten years, and Napoleon 
being the first, had almost the power of a king. He then offered 
peace to Austria and England. The former would not accept with- 



out consulting England, and that power refused. The battle of 
Marengo was fought, and Austria defeated; peace was again offered 
and refused, when finally, General Moreau met the Archduke John, 
of Austria, near the little village of Hohenlinden, and after a night 
conflict in the forest, and in the midst of a blinding snow storm, the 
French completely destroyed the Austrian army. The treaty of 
Luneville was then signed, and although England, as before, 
refused to take part in it, she soon after agreed to the treaty of 
Amiens. A plot was found out, about this time, for the assassination 
of Napoleon. Its leaders were Cadoudal and the generals, Pichegru 
and Moreau. This so excited the people that it was resolved to 
increase his power. In 1804 he was crowned Emperor of France, 
and on the same occasion, Josephine, his wife, was crowned Empress. 
His brother Joseph, who was King of Naples and Sicily, and Louis, 
King of Holland, were made French princes. 

Napoleon I., Emperor. — 1804-1814. 

The third coalition (Russia, Austria, Sweden and Naples) was 
now formed, just as the French had suffered a great naval defeat 
by the English, under Nelson, off Cape Trafalgar. Napoleon was not 
disheartened. Having, by a quick march, led his army into the 
middle of Austria, he obliged General Mack to surrender at Ulm, 
and then, at the village of Austerlitz, gained one of the most 
splendid victories in the war. The treaty of Presburg was signed, 
and the third coalition was at an end. Prussia had intended to 
take part in the last campaign, and now formed with Russia a fourth 
coalition. The battles of Jena and Auerstadt, gained by Napoleon, 
placed Berlin in the power of the French. He then marched against 
the Russians, and having completely defeated them in the battles of 
Eylau and Friedland, compelled both countries to sign the peace of 
Tilsit. This treaty was followed by an insurrection in Spain, called 
the Peninsular War, in which Wellington gained the great battle of 
Talavera. Austria and England now leagued together in the fifth 
coalition. Napoleon, with his accustomed rapidity, set out from 
Paris, and after defeating the Austrians in several engagements, a 
desperate battle was fought at Vienna, which was finally taken. He 
then gained the battles of Aspern and Wagram, and the Austrians 
were glad to sign the treaty of Vienna, and pay a large sum of 
money to France. Napoleon had now reached the height of his 
power and glory, but the good fortune which had been his in a most 
remarkable manner, now deserted him. Proud of his great success, 
he invaded Russia under the pretense that it was friendly to 
England, and after many bloody victories, he pushed on to Moscow. 
The joy of the army was turned to surprise at finding the city 
deserted, and on fire on all sides. For three days and nights the 
awful spectacle continued; at the end of that time the French were 
without shelter, and a Russian winter coming on. A retreat was 
ordered, but they perished by thousands from cold, famine and the 
attacks of the enemy. During this terrible march, Marshal Ney 



19 

won for himself the title of '' Bravest of the Brave." Arriving in 
Paris, Napoleon had scarcely obtained another army when he heard 
of the sixth coalition against him (Austria, Prussia, Russia, England 
and Sweden). He was losing power, and although he gained the 
battles of Lutzen, Bautzen, Dresden and Leipsic, his armies were 
defeated by Wellington, at Salamanca and Vittoria, and the Senate, 
guided by Talleyrand, deposed him, did away with the right of 
succession in his family, and restored the Bourbons. Napoleon 
was banished to the Island of Elba. 

Louis XVIII. — 1814-1824. 

This king was a brother of the unfortunate Louis XVI. He 
understood so little the changes that had taken place, that he called 
a council at Vienna, fully determined to restore France to its con- 
dition before the revolution. While the Congress was in session, 
the astonishing news was received that Napoleon had escaped from 
Elba, and was marching to Paris. He was everywhere welcomed by 
the people, who accompanied him in crowds, and joined by the 
soldiers. Louis XVIII. left Paris in terror, and all Europe joined 
in the seventh coalition. Although nearly a million men were 
marching against him. Napoleon hoped to conquer them before they 
could unite. After meeting a Prussian army under Blucher, and 
defeating it, he was attacked at Waterloo, by the English, under 
Wellington. The battle began about eleven o'clock in the morning, 
and lasted till seven in the evening. Napoleon had sent Grouchy 
to prevent any re-enforcements from coming up to the English, but 
through some misunderstanding. Grouchy allowed Blucher to pass 
him with 30,000 men. When the tired French soldiers saw these 
fresh troops marching against them, they turned and fled, although 
the most desperate efforts were made by Napoleon and his guard to 
prevent them. The allied armies marched on to Paris, and Louis 
XVIII. was brought back to the city. Napoleon went to Rochefort, 
intending to sail for the United States, but finding all means of 
escape cut off, he gave himself up to Captain Maitland, of the 
English frigate Bellerophon, 1815. He was sent to the Island of 
St. Helena, where he remained a prisoner till his death in 182 1, at 
the age of fifty-two. 

Charles X. — 1824-1830. 

Charles X. was the brother of Louis XVIII. Shortly after his 
accession, the Dey of Algiers insulted the French consul, and fired 
upon the envoy who was sent to demand satisfaction. A large 
army was sent against him, and in less than a month, Algiers was 
taken. Charles X. now passed some laws which greatly displeased 
the people. Angry crowds began to collect, and the troops were 
ordered out. The excitement lasted three days, and at the end of 
that time Charles was ordered to resign. This he refused to do, but 
he offered to change the laws. He was told it was too late, and see- 
ing his great mistake, he sailed from France, and after living a short 
time in England, was given, by that country, Holyrood Castle, at 
Edinburgh. 



BOURBON ORLEANS FAMILY. 

Louis Philippe. — 1830-1848. 

Louis was the Duke of Orleans. His father had been executed 
during the revolution, and he, himself, was banished from France, 
and had lived in Switzerland, the United States and England, sup- 
porting himself by teaching mathematics. The new ministry was 
called at once to take action on a dispute between Turkey and 
Egypt, which, under the name of the Eastern Question, has at times 
occupied the attention of Europe to the present day. In 1840, the 
remains of Napoleon were brought to France by the son of Louis 
Philippe, who had been sent to St. Helena with a fleet to obtain 
them. They were placed in a tomb specially constructed for them, 
under the dome of the Church of the Invalides. The most import- 
ant enterprise during this period, was the conquest of Algeria. 
Several years before the city of Algiers had been taken, but now all 
the tribes united against the French, under their chief, Abd-el 
Kader. He was entirely defeated and taken prisoner. The princi- 
ples of the revolution were still quietly at work among the people. 
In 1848, they commenced holding meetings and banquets, at all of 
which speeches were made against the King. Louis, in alarm, dis- 
missed his minister, Guizot, who was greatly disliked. A riot soon 
after broke out, public buildings were attacked, and as the troops 
whom the King called out, received him very coldly, he thought it 
best to seek safety in flight. He went to England, and died there 
two years after. France was then declared a Republic, with Lamar- 
tine at its head. 

Louis Napoleon, President. — 1848-1852. 

Louis Napoleon was the nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte, being 

the son of his brother Louis, King of Holland. He was chosen 

President, at first, for four years, but soon after, for ten, and with 

his Assembly, was given power to arrange new laws. His only 

military expedition, while president, was that to Rome to assist Pope 

Pius IX., who was then an exile from his capital. The city had 

declared a Republic, but believing that the Austrians intended to 

capture it, Napoleon took it, and having restored Ihe Pope, gave 

him an army to assist him, which remained in Rome for seventeen 

years. 
f 

Napoleon III., Emperor. — 1852-1871. 

In 1852, Louis Napoleon was chosen Emperor, under the title of 
Napoleon III. He had hardly received the new power, when he 
had to take part in the Crimean War. This war was caused by the 
Russians having seized two principalities on the Danube, which 
belonged to Turkey. France joined with England to assist Turkey. 
The allied fleets attacked the city of Sebastopol, and after a siege 
of eleven months, it was taken. They were also successful in the 
great battles of Alma, Balaklava and Inkerman. and at the treaty of 



Paris, Russia gave up her claim to the principalities. A quarrel 
having arisen between Austria and Sardinia, Napoleon formed an 
alliance with the latter, and after gaining the battles of Montebello, 
Palestro, Magenta and Solferino, obliged the Austrians to sign the 
treaty of Zurich. The French and English then waged wars with the 
Chinese, and caused many ports to be opened to foreign trade, and 
a British minister to be allowed to reside at Pekin. The next 
expedition was against Mexico, where the French erected an empire, 
and gave it to the Archduke Maximilian, brother of the Emperor of 
Austria; but soon after the army was withdrawn, there was an insur- 
rection against Maximilian. He was captured, and afterwards shot 
by order of the Mexican General Juarez. Prussia was now rapidly 
rising in power, and it soon became known that France and Prussia 
were only waiting for some pretext for declaring war against each 
other. This was found in the necessity which arose of finding a 
soverign for the throne of Spain. Queen Isabella had been expelled 
from that country, and after two years of great excitement, the 
crown was given to Leopold of Prussia. France would not allow 
this, and declared war against Prussia. The French were under 
Marshals MacMahon and Bazaine, and the Germans under Von 
Moltke. After several engagements, in which the French were 
deteated, the great battle of Sedan was fought, which resulted in the 
entire surrender of their army, including the Emperor Napoleon 
himself. The German army then marched on to Paris, and after a 
siege of several weeks, durmg which the inhabitants suffered 
severely, peace was declared. France was obliged to pay $i,ooo,- 
000,000, and give Alsace and Lorraine to Germany. After the 
battle of Sedan, Napoleon had been dethroned and France declared 
a Republic. On his release, therefore, he went to England and took 
up his residence at Chiselhurst in Kent, where the Empress Eugenie 
and his son had already settled. He died two years after. 

President Thiers. — 1871-1873. 

After general confusion had prevailed for a time in France, and 
many deeds of violence had been enacted, Thiers was chosen Presi- 
dent. He continued in power two years, but finding it impossible 
to restore peace, he resigned. 

President MacMahon. — 1873-1880. 

President Grew. — 1880- 



MEROVINGIAN DYNASTY. 

Clovis. 

Theodoric, Clodomir, Childebert and Clotaire. 

Clotaire II. 

Dagobert. 

Charles Martel. 



CARLOVINGIAN DYNASTY. 



Pepin le Bref. 

Charlemagne. 

Louis I., le Debonnaire. 

Charles the Bald. 

Louis the Stammerer. 

Louis III. and Carloman. 

Charles the Fat. 

Charles the Simple. 

Louis IV., Outre-mer. 

Lothaire. 

Louis V. 



CAPETIAN DYNASTY. 



Hugh Capet, 987-996. 
Robert, 996-1031. 
Henry I., 1031-1060. 



p I., 1060-1108. 

s VI., the Fat, 1108-1137. 

s VII., the Young, 1137-1180. 

p II., Augustus, 1 180-1223. 

s VIII., 1223-1226. 

s IX., the Saint, 1 226-1 270. 

p III., the Hardy, 1270-1285. 

p IV., the Fair, 1285-1314. 

s X., le Hutin, 1314-1316. 

p v., the Tall, 1316-1322. 



HOUSE OF VALOIS. 

Philip VI., 1328-1350. 

John le Bon, 1350-1364. 

Charles V., le Sage, 1364-1380. 

Charles VI., le Bien Aime, 1380-1422. 

Charles VII., the Victorious, 1422-1461. 

Louis XL, 1461-1483. 

Charles VIII. the Affable, 1483-1498. 



HOUSE OF VALOIS ORLEANS. 

Louis XII., 1498-1515. 
Francis I., 15 15-1547. 
Henry II., 1547-1559. 
Francis II., 1559-1560. 
Charles IX., 1560-1574. 
Henry III., 1574-1589. 



23 

HOUSE OF BOURBON. 

Henry IV., 1589-1610. 
Louis XIII., 1610-1643. 
Louis XIV., 1643-1715. 
Louis XV., 1715-1774. 
Louis XVI., 1774-1792. 
Interregnum, 1792-1804. 
Napoleon I., 1804-1814. 

HOUSE OF BOURBON (Restored). 

Louis XVIIL, 1814-1824. 
Charles X., 1824-1830. 

BOURBON ORLEANS FAMILY. 

Louis Philippe, 1830-1848. 
Louis Napoleon, President, 1848-185 2. 
Napoleon III., Emperor,i852-i87i. 
President Thiers, 1871-1873. 
President MacMahon, 1873-1880. 
President Grevy, 1880- 



PRINCIPAL EVENTS. 

MEROVINGIAN DYNASTY. 

Clovis. 
Feudal System; Salic Law. 

CARLOVINGIAN DYNASTY. 

Pepin le Bref. 
Ravenna given to the Pope; Aquitaine joined to France. 
Charlemagne. 

Lombardyjoined to France; Saxons subdued; Diet of Paderborn; 
War against the Saracens. 

Louis I., le Debonnaire. 
Battle of Fontenaille; Treaty of Verdun. 
Charles the Fat. 
Normans invade France. 

Charles the Simple. 
Normandy given to the Normans. 



24 

CAPETIAN DYNASTY. 

Robert. — 996-1031, 
Year of the Millenium. 

Henry I. — 1031-1060. 
Truce of God. 

Philip I. — 1060-1108. 
England conquered by William of Normandy; First Crusade. 

Louis"VI., THE Fat. — 1108-1137. 
Freedom given to the Communes. 

Louis VII., the Young. — 1137-1180. 
The Second Crusade. 

Philip II., Augustus.^i 180-1223. 

Third Crusade; End of the English rule in France; Crusade 
against Albigenses, led by Simon de Montford. 

Louis IX., the Saint. — 1226-1270. 
Albigenses subdued; Two Crusades. 

Philip III., the Hardy. — 1270-1285. 
Massacre of the Sicilian Vespers. 

Philip IV., the Fair. — 1285-1314. 
War with Flanders; Battle of Courtray; Third Estate. 

Philip V., the Tall. — 1316-1322. 
Salic Law confirmed. 

HOUSE OF VALOIS. 

Philip VI. — 1328-1350. 

Beginning of the One Hundred Years' War with England; Battle 
of Crecy; Siege of Calais; Black Death; Gabelle; Dauphine joined 
to France. 

John le Bon. — 1350-1364. 

War with England; Battle of Poictiers; the Jacquerie; Peace of 
Bretigny. 

Charles V., le Sage. — 1364-1380. 

Capture of Limoges by the Black Prince; Du Guesclin commands 
the army; Royal Library founded; Bastile commenced. 



25 

Charles VI., le Bien Aime. — 1380-1422. 

Revolt in Flanders; Battle of Rosebecque; Trouble between the 
Armagnacs and Burgundians; Battle of Agincourt. Treaty of 
Troyes. 

Charles Vil., the Victorious. — 1422-1461. 

Siege of Orleans; Joan of Arc burned at Rouen; Peace of Arras; 
Conquest of Normandy; End of the One Hundred Years' War. 

Louis XL — 1461-1483. 

League of the Public Good; Conflict with Charles the Bold; 
Merchants' Truce. 

Charles VIIL, the Affable. — 1483-1498. 
Brittany joined to France; Invasion of Italy; Capture of Naples. 

HOUSE OF VALOIS ORLEANS. 

Louis XII. — 1498-1515. 

Invasion of Italy; Battle of Novara; Attack on Naples; Battle of 
Garigliano; Treaty of Blois; League of Cambray; Battle of Agna- 
dello; Holy League; Death of Gaston de Foix; Battle of the Spurs. 

Francis 1.-1515-1547. 

Invasion of Italy; Battle of Marignano; Perpetual Peace; Charles 
V. elected Emperor of Germany; Field of the Cloth of Gold; Battle 
of Bicoque; Treachery of Bourbon; Death of Bayard; Battle of 
Pavia— Francis taken prisoner; Capture of Rome; Women's Peace; 
Alliance with the Turkish Sultan; Jacques Cartier's settlement of 
Canada. 

Henry II.— iS47-i559- 

France ruled by Montmorency, Duke of Guise and Diana of 
Poictiers; Abdication of Charles V.; Battle of St. Quentin; Taking 
of Calais from the English. 

Francis II. — 1559-1560. 
Trouble between the Huguenots and Catholics. 

Charles IX.— 1560-1574. 

Riot at Vassy; Treaty of Amboise; Battle of St. Denis; Peace of 
Lonjumeau; Death of Conde; Peace of St. Germain; Death of 
Jeanne d' Albret; Massacre of St. Bartholomew's Day; Peace of 
Rochelle, 



26 

Henry III. — 1574-1589. 

Peace of Monsieurs; Holy League; War of the Three Henrys; 
Assassination of the Duke of Guise; Assassination of Cardinal 
Lorraine; Death of Catharine de Medici; Assassination of Henry. 

HOUSE OF BOURBON. 

Henry IV. — 1589-1610. 

Battle of Ivry; Henry gives up the Protestant religion; Edict of 
Nantes; Duke of Sully the King's adviser; Assassination of Henry. 

Louis XIII. — 1610-1643. 

Richelieu Prime Minister; Siege of Rochelle; Thirty years war 
with Austria; Founding of the French Academy. 

Louis XIV. — 1643-1715. 

Thirty Years' War ended by the Treaty of Westphalia; Mazarin 
Prime Minister; War of the Fronde; War against the Netherlands; 
The armies commanded by Conde and Turenne; Treaty of Nimeguen; 
Edict of Nantes revoked; League of Augsburg; War between 
France and England; Battle of the Boyne; Battle off Cape La 
Hogue; Treaty of Ryswick; War of the Spanish Succession; Battles 
of Blenheim, Ramillies, Oudenarde and Malplaquet; Treaty of 
Utrecht. 

Louis XV. — 1715-1774. 

Financial enterprise of John Law; War of the Austrian Succession; 
Battles of Dettingen and Fontenoy, Treaty of Aix la Chapelle; 
Seven Years' War. 

Louis XVI, — 1 774-1 792. 

Principal advisers of the King were Maurepas, Turgot, Malesherbes 
and Necker; Alliance with the United States; Treaty of Versailles; 
Commencement of the Revolution, with Mirabeau as champion; 
National Constituent Assembly; Legislative Assemby, divided into 
Girondists, led by Dumouriez and Roland, Montagnards and 
Feuillants; Commune, headed by Robespierre, Danton and Marat; 
National Convention; France declared a Republic. 

Interregnum. — 1 792-1 804. 

Louis XVI. and Marie Antoinette executed; Death of Marat; 
Death of Robespierre; Directory established; French army com- 
manded by Hoche, Jourdan, Moreau and Napoleon; Defeat of the 
Austrians; Treaty of Campo Formio; Expedition to Egypt; Capture 
of Alexandria; Battle of the Pyramids; Battle of the Nile or 
Aboukir; War with Turkey; War with Russia; Battle of Zurich; 



27 

Directory abolished; Consulate established — Napoleon Consul; 
Battle of Marengo; Battle of Hohenlinden; Treaties of Luneville 
and Amiens; Conspiracy against Napoleon. 

Napoleon, Emperor. — 1804-1814, 

Third Coalition (Russia, Austria, Sweden and Naples); Battle of 
Trafalgar; Capture of Ulm; Battle of Austerlitz; Treaty of Pres- 
burg; Fourth Coalition (Prussia and Russia); Battles of Jena and 
Auerstadt; Berlin captured; Battles of Eylau and Friedland; Peace 
of Tilsit; Peninsular War; Battle of Talavera; Fifth Coalition (Austria 
and England); Taking of Vienna; Battles of Aspern and Wagram; 
Treaty of Vienna; Invasion of Russia; Burning of Moscow; 
Sixth Coalition (Austria, Prussia, Russia, England and Sweden); 
Battles of Lutzen, Bautzen, Dresden, Leipsic, Salamanca and 
Vittoria; Senate, directed by Talleyrand, deposed Napoleon, 

Louis XVIII.— 1814-1824. 

Napoleon escapes from Elba; Seventh Coalition; Battle of 
Waterloo; Napoleon banished to St. Helena; Death of Napoleon. 

Charles X. — 1824-1830, 
Taking of Algiers; Abdication of Charles. 

Louis Philippe. — 1830-1848. 

Commencement of the Eastern Question; Napoleon's remains 
brought to France; Conquest of Algeria; Louis Philippe's escape 
from France; Second Republic, with Lamartine as head. 

Louis Napoleon, President. — 1848-1852. 
Rome taken and the Pope restored. 

Napoleon III. — 1852-1871. 

Crimean war; Taking of Sevastopol; Battles of Alma, Balaklava 
and Inkerman; Treaty of Paris; War with Austria; Battles of 
Montebello, Palestro, Magento and Solferino; Treaty of Zurich; 
War with China; Expedition to Mexico; War with Prussia; Battle 
of Sedan — Napoleon taken prisoner; Third French Republic; Siege 
of Paris; Alsace and Lorraine given to Germany. 



28 

IMPORTANT EVENTS. 

1. Riot at Vassy. 

2. Battle of the Spurs. 

3. Napoleon's Escape from Elba. 

4. Fifth Coalition. 

5. Turgot, Maurepas, Malesherbes and Necker. 

6. Capture of Limoges by the Black Prince. 

7. League of the Public Good. 

8. Battle of the Pyramids. 

9. Enterprise of John Law. 

10. Treaty of Utrecht. 

11. Taking of Algiers. 

12. Battle of Trafalgar and Austerlitz. 

13. Seventh Coalition and Battle of Waterloo. 

14. Alliance with the United States. 

15. Battle of Poictiers. 

16. Death of Gaston de Foix. 

17. Treaty of Versailles. 

18. War with Turkey. 

19. Battle of the Boyne and Cape La Hogre. 

20. Fourth Coalition. 

21. Battle of Rosebecque. 

22. War of the Spanish Succession. 

23. Treaty of Amboise. 

24. Du Guesclin commands the Army. 

25. Battle of Agnadello. 

26. William of Normandy Conquers England. 

27. Battle of St. Denis. 

28. Third Crusade. 

29. Richelieu Prime Minister. 

30. Beginning of One Hundred Years' War. 

31. Brittany joined to France. 

32. War of the Austrian Succession. 
^^. Battle of Crecy. 

34. Invasion of Russia and Burning of Moscow. 

35. Battles of Lutzen, Bautzen, Dresden and Leipsic. 

36. The Jacquerie. 

37. Third Coalition. 

38. Death of Napoleon. 

39. Commencement of the Revolution. 

40. Capture of Naples. 

41. Conde and Turenne command the Army. 

42. Taking of Sevastopol. 

43. Battle of Courtrai. 

44. National Constituent Assembly. 

45. Battles of Aspern and Wagram. 

46. Peace of Lonjumeau. 

47. War against the Saracens. 

48. Crimean War. 



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49- Crusade against the Albigenses. 

50. Siege of Rochelle. 

51. Legislative Assembly. 

52. Battles of Montebello, Palestro, Magenta and Solferino. 

53. Siege of Calais. 

54. Battle of Fontenaille and Treaty of Verdun. 

55. Capture of Rome. 

56. Expedition to China. 

57. Death of Conde. 

58. End of the English Rule in France. 

59. Third Estate. 

60. Peace of St. Germain. 

61. Directory Abolished. 

62. Napoleon's Remains Brought to France. 
6;^. Royal Library Founded. 

64. First Crusade. 

65. Treaty of Zurich. 

66. Black Death. 

67. Peace of Tilsit. 

68. Battles of Dettingen and Fontenoy. 

69. Death of Jeanne d' Albret. 

70. Charles V. Elected Emperor of Germany, and Field of the 

Cloth of Gold. 

71. Year of the Millenium. 

72. Expedition to Mexico. 

73. Battle of Garigliano. 

74. Treaty of Aix la Chapelle. 

75. League of Cambray. 

76. Thirty Years' War with Austria. 

77. Massacre of St. Bartholomew's Day. 

78. Sixth Coalition. 

79. Battle of Sedan. 

80. Lombardy Joined to Fiance. 

81. Battle of Zurich. 

82. Treaty of Presburg. 

83. Alliance with the Turkish Sultan. 

84. Conquest of Algeria. 

85. Treaty of Vienna. 

86. France Ruled by Montmorency, Duke of Guise and Diana of 

Poitiers. 

87. Saxons Subdued. 

88. Trouble between Armagnacs and Burgundians. 

89. Army commanded by Hoche, Jourdan, Moreau and Napoleon. 

90. National Convention. 

91. Expedition to Egypt. 

92. Siege of Orleans. 

93. Battles of Jena and Auerstadt. 

94. Defeat of the Austrians, and Treaty of Campo Formio. 

95. Massacre of the Sicilian Vespers. 

96. Battle of Ivry, 



30 

97- Peace of Arras. 

98. Treaties of Luneville and Amiens. 

99. Treaty of Blois. 
100. The Gabelle. 

loi. Abdication of Charles V. 

102. Capture of Alexandria. 

103. Conquest of Normandy. 

104. Normans Invade France. 

105. Death of Robespierre. 

106. Seven Years' War. 

107. Death of Marat. 

108. Battles of Eylau and Friedland 

109. Second Republic, 
no. Battle of Marignano. 

111. Battle of Novara. 

112. Third French Republic. 

113. Battle of St. Quentin. 

114. Salic Law. 

115. Capture of Ulm. 

116. League of Augsburg, 

117. Conflict with Charles the Bold. 

118. French Academy Founded. 

119. End of the One Hundred Years' War. 

120. Ravenna Given to the Pope. 

121. Treaty of Ryswick. 

122 Rome Taken and the Pope Restored. 

123. Treaty of Westphalia. 

124. Attack on Naples. 

125. Freedom of the Communes. 

126. Dauphine Joined to France. 

127. Holy League. 

128. Treaty of Nimeguen. 

129. Edict of Nantes. 

130. Bastile Commenced. 

131. Battles of Blenheim, Ramillies, Oudenarde and Malplaquet, 

132. Aquitaine Joined to France. 

133. Battles of Marengo and Hohenlinden. 

134. Alsace and Lorraine given to Germany. 

135. Merchants' Truce 

136. Taking of Calais from the English. 

137. Truce of God. 

138. Battle of Talavera. 

139. Peace of Bretigny. 

140. Two Crusades. 

141. Battle of the Nile- 

i42. War Against the Albigenses Ended. 

143. Peace of Rochelle. 

144. War of the Fronde. 

145. Normandy Given to the Normans, 

146. Perpetual Peace. 



31 

147. France a Republic (first time). 

148. Directory Established. 

149. Battles of Salamanca and Vittoria. 

150. Mazarin Prime Minister. 

151. Edict of Nantes Revoked. 

152. Battle of Seneffe. 

153. Women's Peace. 

154. Diet of Paderborn. 

155. Battle of Pavia. 

156. Feudal System. 

157. Jacques Cartier's Settlement of Canada. 

158. Death of Bayard. 

159. Second Crusade. 

160. Treachery of Bourbon. 

161. Battle of Agincourt and Treaty of Troyes. 

162. Battle of Bicoque. 

163. Duke of Sully Prime Minister. 






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